Eating & Drinking inWales

From elegant hotels close to Snowdonia and neighbourhood bistros in Cardiff to seafood restaurants on the coast and rebooted village pubs in the Vale of Glamorgan, when it comes to innovation and independent spirit, the Welsh food scene is as diverse and as exciting as ever.

If anything links the Welsh entries in the Guide, it’s the passionate and proud use of the country’s prime produce – mainly lamb and beef, fish and cheese – and it’s now possible to enhance your menu with award-winning Welsh wines and spirits.

Our Best Local Restaurant regional award winner this year is one of five new Welsh entries in the Guide. The Warren in Carmarthen is a small, family-run café and restaurant that sprang from a successful crowdfunding campaign. It’s driven by sustainability and an emphasis on sourcing local, seasonal and organic produce, whether it’s hogget from a local farm or one of the region’s world-class cheeses. The same approach has helped fellow new entry The Fox & Hounds in the Vale of Glamorgan, run by husband and wife team Jim and Rhiannon Dobson.

Over on the stunning Pembrokeshire coast, The Artisan Rooms at The Grove in Narberth makes a similar commitment to Welsh ingredients with grazing boards of local charcuterie and artisan cheese, lamb and locally landed fish. Also new to the Guide is Cardiff neighbourhood restaurant Heaneys run by chef Tommy Heaney, who has flown the Welsh flag on the BBC’s Great British Menu.